Processes and rates of rock fragment displacement on cliffs and scree slopes in an amba landscape, Ethiopia

Distinct rock fragment displacements occur on the ambas, or structurally determined stepped mountains of the Northern Ethiopian Highlands. This paper describes the rock fragment detachment from cliffs by rockfall, quantifies its annual rate, and identifies factors controlling rock fragment movement on the scree slopes. It further presents a conceptual model explaining rock fragment cover at the soil surface in these landscapes. In the May Zegzeg catchment (Dogu'a Tembien district, Tigray), rockfall from cliffs and rock fragment movement on debris slopes by runoff and livestock trampling were monitored over a 4-year period (1998–2001). Rockfall and rock fragment transport mainly induced by livestock trampling appear to be important geomorphic processes. Along a 1500-m long section of the Amba Aradam sandstone cliff, at least 80 t of rocks are detached yearly and fall over a mean vertical distance of 24 m resulting in a mean annual cliff retreat rate of 0.37 mm y^− 1. Yearly unit rock fragment transport rates on scree slopes ranged between 23.1 and 37.9 kg m^− 1 y^− 1. This process is virtually stopped when exclosures are established. Corresponding mean rock fragment transport coefficients K are 32–69 kg m^− 1 y^− 1 on rangeland but only 3.9 kg m^− 1 y^− 1 in densely vegetated exclosures. A conceptual model indicates that besides rockfall from cliffs and argillipedoturbation, all factors and processes of rock fragment redistribution in the study area are of anthropogenic origin.     

The freeze-thaw weathering regime at a section of the Niagara escarpment on the Bruce Peninsula,Southern Ontario,Canada

The bedrock freeze-thaw and moisture regimes at an actively eroding site on the Niagara Escarpment, Bruce Peninsula, southern Ontario, were monitored between December 1983 and April 1984, and the results compared with amounts of debris collected in an adjacent rock trap. Frost wedging in pre-existing rock fissures is the primary mechanism responsible for the observed rockfall events; hydration effects are negligible. Debris production was more closely related to the duration of the freezing leg of the freeze-thaw cycle than to intensity or to cycle frequency. Release also coincided with periods of high pore saturation (> 60 per cent) and the seepage of water from cracks and fissures. Fewer freeze-thaw cycles were recorded in the air than at 1 and 3.5 cm in the bedrock. The number of cycles that could be declared geomorphologically effective according to established temperature criteria was normally less than half the total number of freeze-thaw cycles recorded in both air and bedrock. Under the current temperature regime at the field site, few effective cycles are capable of penetrating more than 5 cm into the free face.     

Rockfall hazard in the Daisekkei Valley, the northern Japanese Alps, on 11 August 2005

This paper describes a rockfall event in the Daisekkei Valley of Mount Shirouma-dake (2,932 m), the northern Japanese Alps. The rockfall occurred on a steep cliff comprising well-jointed felsites and produced debris of ≥8,000 m³. Most debris was deposited on an elongated snowpatch located immediately beneath the cliff, and it caused casualties among people who were trekking along a trail on the snowpatch. Additionally, a large rock block slipped 1 km on the snowpatch. The rockfall could have been due to the differential retreat of the rockwall, which contains areas of high- and low-density joints. Seasonal and diurnal freeze–thaw activities and snow avalanches and wash appear to be important factors responsible for the retreat. Although some rock blocks that can collapse further remain on the rockwall, the position of the mountain trail in the Daisekkei Valley is fixed. Fundamental reform of tourism systems for climbers, including education on natural hazards, is required.     

沪昆客专沙坡特大桥危岩落石形成机制及防治措施研究

沪昆高铁贵昆段沙坡特大桥线路左侧多处危岩落石对大桥构成一定威胁。本文在对区域地质环境和危岩体结构特征的调查的基础上,利用无人机航拍技术,查明了沙坡双线特大桥左侧山坡坡顶裂缝及围岩体的分布,研究了该处危岩落石体的形成的机制,并提出了采用梯形垛反压、清方、灌浆以及局部支挡的防治措施,取得了良好的经济效益,同时保障了沪昆客专安全、有序运营。     

地下开采作用下反倾上硬下软型斜坡崩塌形成机制研究以贵州开阳磷矿崩塌为例

以贵州开阳磷矿崩塌为例,通过对地质条件、采矿扰动与变形破坏特点的分析,阐明在地下开采作用下,反倾上硬下软型斜坡变形破坏的发展过程,并总结斜坡失稳破坏的3种模式,指出不同类型的破坏变形均以坡顶拉裂为前兆,而斜坡岩体结构特征是产生不同破坏模式的关键控制因素。进一步运用数值模拟与物理模拟方法,分析该类型崩塌的形成机理,认为反倾上硬下软型崩塌的形成具有特定的地质背景,动力条件与诱发因素,崩塌最终可能以急剧破坏的形式出现,但其发生并不是一蹴而就的,是经历了从发生、发展直至破坏的长期过程。从地下开采后采空区顶底板的变形,发展到地表裂缝的产生,崩塌的形成是地表裂缝沿着陡倾结构面追踪发展的过程,并受岩体结构特征的控制最终发生倾倒、突破锁固段剪出或沿中缓倾结构面滑塌。因此,对此类斜坡地质灾害的监测和防治必须把握前兆现象,加强早期识别与预警。     

滚石灾害防治方法浅析

随着人类活动的广度和力度不断加大,多山地带的滚石问题越来越突出,致使有关滚石灾害及其防治方法的研究也逐步得到重视。总体而言,滚石灾害的防治方法可分为主动防护和被动防护两大类,可应用于不同的滚石灾害环境。对各类滚石灾害防治方法进行简单介绍之后,作者分析了各方法的应用范围和适用条件。     

贵州开阳金钟牛赶冲崩积体特征研究

牛赶冲崩塌所在的开阳县金钟镇上洋水河矿区,受洋水背斜和NNE走向断裂的影响,区内陡崖呈带状分布。加之采矿活动强烈,磷矿层顶板白云岩陡崖易形成危岩带,近20a来先后发生大小崩塌数十起。本文研究的牛赶冲崩塌发生于2005年,崩积物在牛赶冲沟内呈条带状堆积,形成3个运动和堆积特征差异明显的区域,其崩落运动特征和崩积体分布特征颇具代表性。本文在堆积体特征野外调查分析的基础上,结合落石运动路径模拟,分析表明该崩积体一般以滚动的形式向沟内运动形成倒石堆,但个别大块落石受微地貌影响,沿靠近倒石堆右侧的一小冲沟运动,起初滚动,后为跳跃,各落点清晰可辨。文章最后综合已发生崩塌的运动特征和数值模拟,对危岩体未来失稳可能的危害范围做出了预测。     

Combining field and modelling techniques to assess rockfall dynamics on a protection forest hillslope in the European Alps

Adequate management of a mountain forest that protects downslope areas against impacts of rockfall requires insight into the dynamics of the hillslope environment. Therefore, we applied a combined approach, using field and modelling techniques, to assess the determining factors for rockfall source areas, rockfall tracks and rockfall runout zones on a forested slope in mountainous terrain. The first objective of this study was to understand why rockfall occurs in the study area. The second objective was to translate the knowledge obtained in the field into a model that simulates rockfall dynamics on a forested slope realistically. The third objective was to assess which hillslope characteristics primarily determine the distribution of active rockfall tracks. To achieve these objectives, we made a geomorphological map of the whole study area, and we measured the major discontinuity planes in the bedrock that are exposed in the rockfall source areas. Furthermore, a test site for simulation modelling within the larger study area was defined in which both a forest and a hillslope inventory were carried out. The available data and our developed rockfall simulation model allowed us to assess the slope characteristics that mainly determine the distribution of areas affected by rockfall. We found that in decreasing order of importance, both standing and felled trees, the surface roughness and rockfall resistant shrubs primarily determine the distribution of rockfall-affected areas. Simulation tests without a forest cover produced similar rockfall runout zones as fossil rockfall events identified in the field. We believe that the combined field and modelling approach is a prerequisite for understanding how forests can protect against rockfall.     

Load testing of anchors for wire mesh and cable net rockfall slope protection systems

This study presents results of field tests conducted on anchors used to support wire mesh and cable net rockfall protection systems. The load transfer and failure characteristics of these anchors are different from those used in most civil applications in that loads are often applied transversely to the top of tendon rather than axially. The study included vertical as well as horizontal series of tests conducted on some anchors widely used in wire mesh and cable net rockfall protect systems. It was found that the deformation characteristics of these anchors under vertical loading are nonlinear. They are approximated by a hyperbolic formulation and used to calculate the ultimate capacity. Top-downward progressive cracking of the grout was observed during loading and influences the deformation characteristics of these anchors under horizontal loading. The anchors deflected excessively before they could attain their ultimate capacity in the horizontal direction. Based on the field tests, it appears that the deformation under horizontal loading in the systems can be limited by using an enlarged grout zone at the top.